Monmouth & Manhattan Sweep Indoor Track & Field Weekly Honors
MAAC Sports
MAAC Men’s & Women’s Indoor Track Information:
Weekly Release
Video Release
Performers of the Week
Men’s Track Performer of the Week
Matt Nelson, Monmouth
Jr., Barnegat, NJ/ Barnegat
Nelson captured two victories for the Hawks at the Monmouth Winter Collegiate Invitational, winning the 3000 meter race and also anchoring the Hawks’ first place distance medley relay team. Nelson finished first out of 25 other competitors in the 3000 meter event, finishing with a time of 8:39.02, almost seven seconds ahead of the second place finisher. The junior from Barnegat, NJ then went on to anchor the Hawks’ victorious distance medley relay team, who crossed the finish line with a time of 10:36.06, 14 seconds ahead of the second place team.
Men’s Field Performer of the Week
Blerim Pocesta, Manhattan
Sr., Staten Island, NY/ Susan E. Wagner (CCNY)
Pocesta placed first in the weight throw and second in the shot put at the Draddy Invitational over the weekend. In the weight throw event, Pocesta’s best throw in the finals was 20.08 meters, allowing him to earn first place in the event by nearly 4 meters. In the shot put, Pocesta was able to get out to 15.51 meters, putting him in second place overall, but first among collegian competitors.
Women’s Track Performer of the Week
Tionna Garner, Monmouth
Jr., Trenton, NJ/ Trenton Catholic Academy
Garner won her individual event in the 500 meter race and was also a member of the Hawks’ first place 4x400 relay team over the weekend at the Monmouth Winter Collegiate Invitational. Garner placed first out of 19 competitors in the 500 meter race with a time of 1:13.41, tying her own school record. Garner also helped the Hawks to victory in the 4x400 relay event, whom came in first with a time of 3:54.95.
Women’s Field Performer of the Week
Ashley McKinnon, Monmouth
Fr., East Orange, NJ/ Essex County Vocational
McKinnon had a strong showing in various events, including the long jump, the high jump, and the 60 meter dash over the weekend at the Monmouth Winter Collegiate Invitational. The freshman from East Orange, NJ first qualified for ECAC’s in the long jump, with a jump of 18 feet, finishing first amongst collegiate competitors at the event. McKinnon then went on to have impressive showings in both the high jump and the 60 meter dash events, clearing 5 feet one inch and finishing in 7.89 seconds, respectively.